THE Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Under-17 Youth Ensemble Programme will kick off nationally this weekend, September 12–13, marking the third level of competition introduced during the inaugural year of the Federation’s landmark youth development initiative.
The Under-17 phase builds on the successful completion of the Under-13 and Under-15 competitions and will see the GFF’s nine regional associations mobilise teams to compete within their respective jurisdictions. The programme is designed to provide young players with meaningful competitive opportunities while strengthening talent identification, development and the pathway towards higher levels of the domestic game.
Delivered by the GFF in collaboration with FIFA, the Youth Ensemble Programme represents a major investment in the future of Guyanese football. An annual investment of $44 million over the next four years is being directed towards the programme, making it the largest investment in youth football in Guyana’s history.
The East Bank Football Association (EBFA) will open its U-17 competition at the National Training Centre on Saturday, with Friendship Allstars FC facing Pro Elevate Sports Academy at 10:00 a.m., followed by Swan FC against Timehri United FC at 12:00p.m.
At the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), matches at the Parade Ground will see Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) face Pele FC, followed by Eastveldt FC versus Beacon FC, with Black Pearl FC taking on Riddim Squad FC.
At the Victoria Ground, the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) will stage four matches beginning at 10:00 a.m: Mahaica Determinators versus Mahaicony Western Lions, Plaisance versus BV Triumph United, Buxton Stars versus Melanie, and Ann’s Grove United versus Victoria Kings. The U-17 competition will continue Sunday, September 13.
Adding a new dimension to the U-17 programme this year, six Elite League clubs will also compete amongst themselves in a separate U-17 competition, running simultaneously with the Youth Ensemble games within the Regional Associations. The participating elite clubs are; Guyana Police Force FC, Guyana Defence Force FC, Santos FC, Slingerz FC, Western Tigers FC and Fruta Conquerors FC.
The introduction of the Elite U-17 competition aims to create additional opportunities for young footballers to compete in a higher-level environment and strengthen the transition from youth football into the senior domestic game.
The U-17 rollout follows the successful culmination of the U-13 and U-15 phases earlier this month. Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) emerged as U-13 champions on September 5, with YMCA finishing as runners-up, while Potaro Strikers FC secured third place after defeating Plaisance FC on penalties.
VMFA also completed a memorable double in the U-15 category on September 6, defeating Buxton Stars 4–2 in the final. Buxton Stars finished as runners-up, while Challengers FC secured third place after defeating Friendship FC 4–3.
GFF President Wayne Forde congratulated the regional associations for their continued support of the initiative and encouraged fans to come out and support the young players throughout the competition.
“Congratulations to the regional associations for their continued embrace of this groundbreaking initiative and thank you for your work in registering teams and preparing for the U-17 phase. I wish all participating clubs every success in the tournament.
I also encourage fans to come out, bring their energy and enthusiasm, and create an exciting atmosphere that inspires Guyana’s young football stars.”
With the U-17 competition now set to begin, the GFF continues to expand access to structured youth football across the country while creating greater opportunities for young players to progress through Guyana’s football system.
